SPECIAL INDUSTRY FEATURE INSIGHTS
their offering to be more focused and niche, to be able to maintain control over delegate numbers and present a more valuable product. Traditional conferences will continue to be hybrid as this allows for a wider audience and wider revenue streams for organisers. Events will initially require proof of vaccination to attend to satisfy strict health and safety protocols, but I feel this restriction may be relaxed towards the end of 2023 as worldwide vaccination rates improve. Travel will open far quicker to vaccinated people. The PCR test regime will also begin to disappear towards the end of 2022 as it is an intrusive, inconvenient and expensive measure that will become less relevant as vaccination rates improve worldwide. Virtual events will be put back in their place as add-ons to inperson events.”
Sandile Dlamini, said: “Firstly, I’m thankful that we have survived 2020/21 with all its hardships. I’m grateful for that. It was a hell of a ride! The industry is very excited and upbeat currently as we are working and planning for 2022. I’m hopeful that many more South Africans will continue to vaccinate so that we may reach the levels that is required. We have already seen the infection rate dropping over the past two months. I predict a good and exciting 2022, better than 2020 and 2021 combined. I predict creation of more jobs in the industry. The country will be exciting again and the mood will improve from all the grumpiness and heartbreaks that we have had. I’m looking forward to hosting the Joburg Polo in the Park in early 2022 and more travel.”
Doug Rix, said: “Events and exhibitions will begin returning but with smaller stand space and reduced budgets being allocated and used by exhibitors compared to what was previously done during the years prior to 2019. Designers will need to be more creative than ever before in finding effective and cost-efficient solutions for their clients’ exhibition stand requirements. Contractor companies will need to work harder with less margin to ensure they retain business opportunities in an Industry that will see several new smaller start-ups emerge to help meet industry clients’ demands for more cost-sensitive options based on the experience they have acquired previously when possibly working within a larger industry company. Industry stakeholders will need to collaborate more with each other and smaller individual specialist companies, to ensure that all necessary goods and services are able to be sourced and supplied to the end client. Project coordination and management will be key in ensuring deliverables meet the available capacity, deadline as well as within available budget. On a negative note – I believe that some industry stakeholders will need to reshuffle and look to stimulate and nurture brand new business partnerships where needed due to previous long standing business partnerships having soured over the past year-and-a-half of difficult cashflow resulting in strained business ties. The client - contractor relationships will be tested and will need to find a healthy balance with the timeous outlay of cashflow for any specific project (including balance payments on handover rather than 30 to 60 to 120 days after an event is finalised and completed.) Positive cashflow will be king and the road to true recovery of our incredible industry.”
14 Business Events Africa December 2021/January 2022
Beert Kuiken, said: “My predictions are more load shedding and infrastructure challenges locally, less zoom due to zoom fatigue, people seeking more face-to-face engagements, hybrid broadcast of exhibition and events where financially possible, greater emphasis on sustainability and climate related issues.”
e: hello@saeventscouncil.org
Raylene Johnson, chairperson of the SA Events Council
2
020 was the year that never happened; the year in which the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world. It has left an indelible mark globally and on everyone in South Africa, in our provinces, our communities, our businesses and within our families. The business events industry literally died a sudden death and we could not have even imagined the painful repercussions that this would have on businesses 22 months down the line. 2021 did not begin any better; the burden and lasting effects of the www.businesseventsafrica.com
